Recently, General James L. Jones, Former National Security Advisor to the President of the United States, Former Supreme Allied Commander Europe and Combatant Commander USUECOM, and 32nd Commandant of the Marine Corps, addressed Highland's Upper School students and faculty, sharing his perspectives on leadership, social justice, and America's role in the global community.

Born in Kansas City, but raised in France post-World War II, Jones attended the NATO school and the American School in Paris, surrounded by children of foreign diplomats. He credits his upbringing with giving him an appreciation for others' perspectives on the U.S. and American culture and urged students to travel abroad and learn foreign languages when given the opportunity. "A fundamental aspect of building consensus and interpersonal relationships is the ability to respect other's viewpoints even when they differ from your own. In doing so, you protect their dignity," remarked Jones.

After moving back to Alexandria, Virginia for his senior year, Jones attended Georgetown University School of Foreign Service while playing basketball for the Hoyas. After college he volunteered to serve in Vietnam, following in the footsteps of his father's military career. "Where you come from matters because it, in part, determines the values you will adopt and experiences you will have. A fundamental value of mine, influenced strongly by my family, is that of public service."

Following Vietnam, Jones attended the Amphibious Warfare School and the National War College, and served as Marine Corps liaison officer to the US Senate.

Jones helped lead humanitarian efforts as a commanding officer in Northern Iraq and Turkey for Operation Provide Comfort, and as chief of staff of the Joint Task Force for Provide Promise in Bosnia and Macedonia.

After his appointment as Commandant of the Marine Corps, Jones led all military operations for NATO from 2003-2006. He then became president and CEO of the US Chamber of Commerce's Institute for 21st Century Energy, working to unite energy consumers and producers on national and global energy issues.

After serving as the State Department's Special Envoy for Middle East Regional Security, Jones was selected as President Obama's National Security Advisor from 2009-2010.

Jones now runs Jones International Group, lending his expertise in national security, international affairs, energy security and leadership to firms and clients around the world. While Jones states he did not plan to spend his entire adult career in the military, years turned into decades with several promotions along the way.

While recounting his work with various world leaders, Jones noted that he has encountered effective leaders with both positive and negative influence, noting the role of listening, relationship building and persuasion in effective leadership.

"When, as a leader you're focused on the vertical pronoun 'I,' you're leading for the wrong reasons. Make your emphasis about the pronoun 'We.' Over the course of my career, I've come to realize that my role as a leader is to primarily build consensus; to engage others in identifying the problem and creating the solution."

Asked what traits and strengths he possesses that have enabled him to be a successful leader, Jones humbly remarked, "I don't consider the things I've or done or experiences I've had to be the result of anything remarkable that I've done. Rather I'm grateful for the opportunities and credit those whose work enabled me to have those experiences."

Jones fielded questions from students about his perspectives on topics ranging from US-Russia relations, Netanyahu's address to Congress, the rise of radicalism in the Middle East, and social justice and dignity in leadership. "The formula for peace and prosperity is simple: security + economic development + effective governance."

Addressing students, Jones asserted, "The solution to combating radicalism in your generation's world will not be a military one exclusively. It will come from all of you, working in a variety of sectors to create economic development and opportunity for all people around the globe."

General Jones was invited to speak by Highland junior Julia Massimiamo, a student in the school's Leadership Seminar. Massimiamo, whose family has been longtime friends with the General, studied and analyzed Jones for her Leadership Research Project. She remarked, "In class we were challenged to choose a person who possesses all the qualities of a great leader. As we studied the effective practices of exemplary leadership, I realized that I knew someone who fits this role perfectly. General Jones has spent his life serving and protecting America and American ideals."